Dermatological Adverse Effects of Chemotherapeutic Agents: Experience from a Tertiary Centre

In a study involving 125 oncology patients at a tertiary center, 27 (21.6%) experienced dermatological adverse effects from chemotherapy, with 45 side effects noted in total. Hair loss, specifically anagen and telogen effluvium, was the most common side effect, followed by skin issues like diffuse hyperpigmentation, xerosis, and hand-foot syndrome. Nail discoloration and oral mucositis were also observed. The study found that while these side effects were common, they were not typically severe enough to stop treatment. It highlighted the need for awareness and management of these effects by healthcare professionals to reduce morbidity and improve the quality of life for cancer survivors. The study also acknowledged limitations in pinpointing exact drugs causing certain side effects due to the use of combination chemotherapy regimens.